#BestInTheD: Detroit's Top 20 pro athletes right now, Nos. 20-11

Welcome to the Free Press' first-ever ranking of our great city's top-20 professional athletes right now, compiled by the Free Press sports desk!

A quick explainer: This is a subjective ranking in good fun, and we expect you to have quarrels with a few of these names and the way they're ranked. 

Now, we based our list on these important factors:

1. How good is the player, right now. Their performance last season/this season far outweighs what they've done in years past. Sure, track record is important, but what has the player done lately?

2. What can we realistically expect from the player next season? This isn't pegging the players' best-case or worst-case scenario, but rather somewhere in the murky middle. Think of it like this: If we simulated next season, what is the player's average outcome? That's what we're roughly trying to peg.

Remember, a player's contract is not part of the evaluation, but growth, age and injury history is a consideration.

And be sure to use the hashtag #BestInTheD to join the conversation on social media and see what fellow readers think.

One last note: We removed Taylor Decker with him potentially missing half the 2017 season or more after shoulder surgery.

Now, let's unveil our rankings!

Missed the cut

Nick Castellanos, Tigers, third baseman

Eighteen homers in 110 games in 2016, but hasn’t ascended this season like many predicted.

T.J. Lang, Lions, right guard

Pro Bowler last season who is solid in both the running and passing games, but coming off hip surgery.

Theo Riddick, Lions, running back

One of the best receiving backs in the NFL, but better in passing game than running game.

Andreas Athanasiou, Red Wings, center

Dynamic, and a sight to see in the open ice with his speed and hands, but must be tougher and more consistent.

Jimmy Howard, Red Wings, goalie

Career-best 2.10 goals-against average and .927 save percentage last season, but only played 26 games due to injury.

Petr Mrazek, Red Wings, goalie

Looked like the goalie of the future after two solid seasons, but couldn’t hold down the job last season and was seemingly kicked to curb by Wings.

Tomas Tatar, Red Wings, left wing

Durable, averaged 23.5 goals, 23 assists per season over past four years, but has had brutal, prolonged droughts each of the past two seasons.

Here are the Free Press' top-20 pro athletes in Detroit, right now:

Make sure to check out PART II with Nos. 10-1.

*Age as of start of 2017 season for Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, end of 2017 season for Tigers

*Tigers 2017 stats are at the All-Star break

20. Ameer Abdullah

Age: 24. 2016 stats: 101 yards rushing, 57 yards receiving with one TD in two games.

Abdullah’s talent was on display as soon as he put on a Lions uniform. He flashed a violent cut in the first quarter of his first exhibition game in 2015 that reminded some of Barry Sanders. Then, on his first-career NFL carry, made Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle look foolish with a jaw-dropping move en route to a touchdown. Abdullah was also dangerous on kickoffs, ranking second in the NFL with 29.1 yards per return. But the rookie struggled at times with five fumbles, then underwent off-season shoulder surgery. Last season, he piled up 120 yards on 17 offensive touches in the opener, then was lost for the season in Week 2 with an ankle injury. He remains the Lions’ top back, with good vision and burst, and isn’t afraid of contact. He also should be running behind the best offensive line he has had. The Lions are going to preserve him by rotating backs, but Abdullah should be in for a nice season. It would be a disappointment if he isn’t higher on this list next year. Fun fact: He never missed a game in four seasons at Nebraska, and played all 16 games with the Lions as a rookie, so he’s more durable than some would have you believe.

More:Abdullah: I'm 'a little bit ahead of schedule' in off-season rehab

19. Tobias Harris

Age: 25. 2016-17 stats: 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds in 82 games.

Acquired in a heist of the Orlando Magic at the 2016 trade deadline for two expiring deals (Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova), Harris played an integral role in helping the Pistons end a six-year playoff drought. He was solid in his first full year in Detroit last season, leading the team in scoring despite coming off the bench in 34 games. Often teamed with Ish Smith to revive the Pistons after the starting lineup looked sluggish time and time again. Harris should start at power forward, and if Stanley Johnson can win the other starting forward job, it would allow Harris to defend the opponent’s worse forward, thus masking his merely average quickness. Three-point shooting is the key for Harris to becoming a more efficient scorer, as he’s a career 33.2% shooter from long range. Would also like to see him get to the foul line more often (2.8 attempts per game last season). 

More:Tobias Harris talks Pistons chemistry at youth basketball camp

18. Reggie Jackson

Age: 27. 2016-17 stats: 14.5 points, 5.2 assists in 52 games.

We all know last season was a disaster for Jackson, and subsequently the Pistons. He missed the first 21 games after a procedure to deal with left knee tendinitis, then was a shell of himself the rest of the season, lacking the explosion and ability to separate from defenders that allowed him to be the team’s best player and one of the NBA's top fourth-quarter scorers in 2015-16. Both he and Stan Van Gundy deserve blame for failing to adapt to his new game. Despite the trade rumors, the team looks like it will stick with Jackson for now. Van Gundy and Jackson point to his performance in the season’s final practice as to why he will rebound. (Read this in-depth story by our Vince Ellis). How he plays next season might be the greatest factor in determining the direction of the Pistons’ future, and with that, the Van Gundy regime.

17. Anthony Mantha

Age: 23. 2016-17 stats: 17 goals, 19 assists in 60 games.

At 6 feet 5 and 221 pounds, possesses the physical tools, skating ability and deft scoring ability to wreak havoc offensively. But to reach his immense ceiling, he cannot rely solely on talent. He’s one of a handful of young players on this team who must continue to push himself to make the most of his physical gifts. That dichotomy was evident last season, when he started the season in Grand Rapids after a disappointing exhibition season, then showed plenty of flashes with the Wings. 

More:Anthony Mantha showing why he's 'deadly'

16. Dylan Larkin

Age: 21. 2016-17 stats: 17 goals, 15 assists in 80 games.

Larkin zoomed into the NHL as a 19-year-old rookie in 2015-16, producing 23 goals and 22 assists, and becoming the team’s first rookie All-Star since Steve Yzerman. But the Waterford native, who played one year at Michigan, came back to earth in his second season. The mature, driven youngster was tasked with playing without Henrik Zetterberg, his line mate the previous season, and production unsurprisingly waned as he struggled with the transition to center. He played better in the season’s final month and looked good for the U.S. at the IIHF World Championship in May. He’ll have that experience to draw on this coming season as the Wings hope he can take the next step centering his own line.

More:Cash-strapped Red Wings have to develop, rely on youngsters

15. Ian Kinsler

Age: 35. 2017 stats: Nine home runs, 23 RBIs, .240/.323/.387 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 71 games.

Kinsler has continued to be one of baseball’s top second baseman, even as he ages into his mid-30s. He had a renaissance 2016 season, blasting 28 homers, the same number he had the previous two years combined, leading all Tigers position players with 6.1 wins above replacement (WAR), and playing Gold Glove defense. But 2017 hasn’t been as kind to "Everyday Ian." His batting average and slugging percentage are both easily the worst of his career, though he’s walking at a better rate, playing good defense and continuing to be a respected pro. Still, it’s fair to wonder if trading him last off-season, coming off a career year, would have been a more prudent move for the franchise’s future, as his value has likely dipped. 

14. Andre Drummond

Age: 24. 2016-17 stats: 13.6 points, 13.8 rebounds in 81 games.

Ah yes, we’ve come to perhaps the most polarizing athlete in this city. Drummond made the All-Star Game at 22 years-old, leading the NBA in rebounding and flourishing as Jackson’s pick-and-roll partner. He signed the richest contract in team history last summer, and with that, expectations grew. But his play last season was maddening (inconsistent effort, defensive lapses, dare we mention free-throw shooting) and didn’t reflect the gigantic maximum contract he was given. His attempts at the rim plummeted (59% of his shots came between 0-3 feet in 2015-16 compared to 49% last season, according to Basketball Reference), and fell in love with his turnaround hook shot. He doesn’t have the innate mind-set and toughness of a Ben Wallace, and he’s nowhere near prime Dwight Howard on defense. His effort and conditioning must improve, and perhaps it will after off-season nose surgery to relieve a breathing problem. As for free throws? Don’t get your hopes up.

13. Rick Wagner

Age: 27. 2016 stats: 15 games, three sacks allowed.

Bob Quinn’s priority of remaking his offensive line is led by this free-agent signing. Wagner is the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle after inking for an average of $9.5 million per season. He was Pro Football Focus’ ninth-best right tackle last season allowing three sacks and four QB hits. Wagner will be one of three new starters for the rebuilt offensive line, so with many – including us – expecting a big season from Matthew Stafford, this unit’s ability to mesh quickly will be one of the keys to watch early this fall.

More:Rick Wagner 'thankful' to be paired with right guard T.J. Lang

12. Avery Bradley

Age: 26. 2016-17 stats: 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists in 55 games

A late addition to this list after being acquired from Boston in a trade July 7. Bradley brings hounding defense, above-average three-point shooting and winning experience to the Pistons. He has improved each season, posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists and effective field goal percentage (a stat that acknowledges a three-pointer is worth one more point than a two). Bradley figures to be a slight upgrade on both ends over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, with an excellent ability to cut away from the ball and improved three-point shooting (39% last season). He does have an injury history and is likely best staying in his complementary role. It says something about his defense when his NBA peers openly complained when Bradley failed to make the NBA All-Defensive Team this season, after a first-team selection in 2015-16.

11. Golden Tate

Age: 29. 2016 stats: 91 receptions, 1,077 yards, 4 TDs in 16 games

Overcame early-season swoon to record his third straight 90-catch year. Only five receivers have more receptions than Tate in those three years. Hasn’t missed a game in three years in Detroit. Has been a demon with the ball in his hands on short passes and quick screens. Sometimes struggles to create separation downfield and doesn’t have the 4.42 40-yard dash speed he once had, but remains a nuisance in the open field. His 73 forced missed tackles since coming to the Lions in 2014 are 14 more than the next-best wideout (Jarvis Landry). Is underpaid by today’s WR standards and made it clear in June he wants his contract extended. Like many receivers, has a little diva to him, but overall has been a great signing and another solid season is within reach.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section and join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #BestInTheD

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